Every year it seems like more and more colleges are drifting away from the practice of relying on walk-on kickers and are instead recruiting them as they would any other position. Why the sudden change in philosophy? Maybe too many coaches have had to put their cardiologists on speed dial as a result of botched last second field goals and extra points. Or maybe they're tired of debating whether or not to go for it on 4th and 4 from the 30 because they're not sure their kicker has the leg to punch it through. Well, either way, it's clear that kickers are becoming more important to football programs with each passing day.

So it should come as no surprise that Southlake Carroll kicker Cade Foster is already on several schools' radar despite the fact that he's just a junior-to-be. After all, the 6-foot-1, 220-pound kicker did start at the powerhouse program as a freshman and is likely one of the top kickers in the country, regardless of age.

"I've been on varsity I guess since I was a freshman. I started as a freshman and sophomore at kicker and then a little last year at linebacker too," said the humble Foster. "I guess I've been a pretty good kicker for 'em and I think I can be a pretty good linebacker too."

Foster is indeed a rare breed, a kicker who has the raw athleticism to play collegiately at another position as well. He racked up several starts last year at linebacker, and is getting some looks there as well. But judging by the dynamite in his right leg, Foster's future is more than likely as a kicker.

"Let's see, my freshman year, I was 11/15," he recalled. "And then last year I was 12/15 with a 48-yarder and two 45-yarders. I made all of my extra points, but I don't know what those stats are off the top of my head. I know I had 115 points as a freshman and 99 as a sophomore."

Foster had always played soccer, so kicking was nothing new to him, but he'd never really messed with kicking a football until 8th grade. And when his coach saw what he could do, there was no turning back.

"I played soccer when I was younger for about 12 years," said Foster. "And then one day in 8th grade we were all just kinda playing around and I kicked one, and the coaches saw it and liked it I guess. That was really the start of it. I really started to like it after I saw how far I could kick it on kickoffs and everything. That's when it really started to get fun."

The star kicker, who booted over half his kickoffs for touchbacks, is looking to stay in-state for college, but says that decision is still a ways off for him.

"I'd like to go to one of the Texas schools," he said. "But if that doesn't happen, I guess I would like to go to the ACC or one of the Florida schools. But I really haven't even thought about it that much. I've still got such a long time to think about it."

And as if Foster's gaudy stats and ability weren't testament enough, the Southlake star was recently selected for the Chris Sailer Elite kicking camp, an honor which is only extended to the top 12 kickers in the nation, regardless of class.